Egypt erupts again; Morsi cries 'coup'

By Associated Press
| 2:11 p.m.July 3, 2013

/ (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Intro

Political standoff

Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians took to the streets this week, some in support of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi and others to call for his ouster. Here is a look at Egypt's current political uprising.

/ Associated Press

1

Who is leading the campaign against Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood?

A new youth movement called Tamarod, or Rebel, is spearheading the latest campaign aimed at forcing Morsi from office. Tapping into growing discontent with Morsi, Tamarod claims it has collected more than 22 million petition signatures against him. The main collection of opposition groups, the National Salvation Front, has endorsed Tamarod, and parties under the NSF umbrella helped collect signatures.

/ Associated Press

2

Can the opposition really force Morsi to step down?

Morsi has three years left in his four-year term and has no intention of resigning. The Tamarod and opposition figures said protesters would not leave the streets until he does.

/ (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

3

Who is backing Morsi?

The Muslim Brotherhood, the fundamentalist group that propelled Morsi to power, has shown little sign of backing down. The group points to Morsi's election victory in a vote that is widely recognized to have been free and fair, and says that forcing Morsi from office will set a dangerous precedent. The only way to challenge Morsi, his supporters say, is through the ballot box.

AP Photo/Egyptian State Television

4

What is the military's role?

Egypt's military on Monday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Islamist president and his opponents to reach an agreement to "meet the people's demands." On Wednesday it installed a temporary civilian government, suspended the constitution and called for new elections.

5

What was the reaction to the military's move?

Cairo's Tahrir Square, epicenter of the 2011 uprising that ousted autocrat Hosni Mubarak, celebrated the military announcement. Morsi said the military's measures "represent a full coup categorically rejected by all the free men of our nation." Some of his Islamist backers, tens of thousands of whom took to the streets in recent days, have vowed to fight to the end.

/ (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

6

Now what is likely to happen?

The U.S. has ordered evacuation of the Cairo embassy and the Obama Administration is meeting to plan how to react to the military intervention. Travel bans were imposed on Morsi and top figures from his Muslim Brotherhood including its chief Mohammed Badie and his powerful deputy Khairat el-Shater. Already 39 people have been killed in clashes since Sunday and resistance to the ouster by Morsi backers is likely to bring more violence.